WherIGo caches – a special type of cache

Wherigo caches - when gaming meets reality... Whether you are an experienced geocacher or a beginner, sooner or later you will come across many other types of caches in the geocaching app or on the website. These are perfect for trying something new instead of finding the usual "tradi". The selection on offer is large, but today's article is intended to deal more closely with the so-called wherigos.

First of all, it is important for every newcomer to understand what a wherigo is and how to play it. A Wherigo is also abbreviated to WIG and can be defined very simply as a geocache that you virtually search for on a map created by the owner. This map contains real places divided into so-called zones. In these zones you first have to solve certain tasks - similar to a multi-cache, for example you have to count something or find a certain item in the zone. Or you can get in touch with certain virtual people. Most of the time you follow a story prepared by the owner. This can take place in the form of an accompaniment of a character who is helped to solve a puzzle interactively or it is e.g. a small city tour that is only intended to draw attention to special sights. For example, if you have found the solution to the riddle in the corresponding zone, an answer field will open as you move on. There you enter the corresponding solution and continue on your way, since a new zone is now displayed to which you have to move - while still orienting yourself on the map created by the owner. This search continues until you are taken to a place where you find the corresponding "real" cache. The structure of this often corresponds to the traditional geocache. You then log this in the same way in the geocaching app.
You will also receive a special code with which you can also log the Wherigo as successfully completed on
wherigo.com. But that is not necessarily necessary.

The next question that arises is whether you need special tools to find a wherigo.
Basically you need a GPS-enabled device. This can be a mobile phone or a tablet, for example. Then you have to search for the Wherigo games app in the appropriate store and download it. You register or log in to the app. Once this step has been taken, you look for a Wherigo in your area. You have the choice between different Wherigo types - these can be an adventure story, a riddle or a city tour. Depending on what you are interested in, you download the so-called cartridge. This could also be understood as the background story of the cache. Alternatively, you can also play Wherigos on two Garmin devices - the Oregon or Colorado. The app is often already pre-installed on these and the further procedure is the same as with the smartphones.
Now the search or the game can begin... five areas very concisely:
First the locations. These basically denote the location which is the next destination for the player and which one needs to move towards. Next comes the second area - You see. At this point you can find out more information about certain people or objects that are in the zone. You can either address these people directly in the game or the objects serve a specific purpose so that you can interact with them virtually. In most cases, however, you have to be directly in the zone so that you can really perceive all the "hints".
The third area is the inventory (Inventory). Depending on how the owner programmed the game, this part corresponds to a virtual backpack. With this you can, for example, pick up certain objects in the game and transport them for the remainder of the game. Unfortunately, this cannot be applied across the board to all Wherigos, as this function depends largely on the owner, because he/she usually programs the game.
The next sub-area is about the actual task (task) that you have in the respective zone . In short, the programmer defines the current game goal that the player should achieve.
The map can be found in the last area. You can orientate yourself on this
in order to get to the corresponding zone at all.

Now that you've gotten a little overview of how to find wherigos, everyone realizes that searching is comparable to playing an
adventure game for the PC or Playstation/XBox.
Have the wherigos caught your interest? Then here are a few more useful tips and hints as a checklist so that nothing can go wrong with your search.
Download the Wherigo app onto your smartphone/tablet.
Register or log in your geocache account in the app and look for a cartridge near you. Now download this onto your device.
Before you start your tour, check that you have enough battery charge or take a power bank with you so that you can recharge your device on the go.
Since the apps are not always reliable, it is also possible that the app will crash during the game. Therefore, set the settings so that caching takes place automatically.
If the app crashes, switch off your device again and restart it in a few
seconds so that you can then restore the cartridge.< br>Find out exactly in the game whether you need the sound, because sometimes important information can be lost by switching it off, or there is simply less fun in the game - which is not originally the goal of the owner.
Pay close attention to this , that you are correctly in the zone, so that you don't miss any
hints and you can also open certain answer fields.
Read all hints and tasks carefully.
Really take your time for this type of cache, because this is not designed to be solved only briefly in between. If you want that, then you should rather solve a tradition.
If you get stuck at one point, then contact the owner or ask in one of the many forums for geocachers if someone can possibly help you.< br>Finally - have fun finding the cache!